Remote control switch



March 1955 o. E. KNAPP ET AL 2,703,348

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REMOTE CONTROL SWITCH Oswald E. Knapp and Eric 0. Larson, Chicago, Ill.

Application June 24, 1950, Serial No. 170,091 1 Claim. c1. z-s7 Thisinvention relates to devices for effecting remotely :device isenergized, but also operative to retain said movable member in the finalposition assumed at the end of each displacement.

- A more specific object of this invention is to provide a solenoidoperated primary switch subject to remote control by a secondary switch,the solenoid being energized by a low intensity current so as toeliminate the need for heavy insulated wire or conduit in the solenoidcircuit.

Another specific object of this invention is to provide a solenoidoperated actuating device subject to remote control by a switch and soconstructed that each time the switch is closed, no matter whether for ashort time or'for a long time, the actuating device will be displacedfrom one to the other of two predetermined positions and retained in itsfinal position after the actuating movement has been completed and thesolenoid circuit has been opened.

Other and further objects and features of this invention will becomeapparent from the following description and appended claim, asillustrated by the accompanying drawings showing, by way of examples, anumber of devices according to the present invention. More particularly:

Figure 1 is a wiring diagram showing a normal voltage circuit controlledby a primary switch actuated by a solenoid energized by a low intensitycircuit constructed according to the present invention;

- Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevational view, with parts broken awayand with the solenoid coil and casing shown in central longitudinalcross section, of a first solenoid operated switch according to thepresent invention in open position;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 2 but showing theswitch in closed position;

Figure 4 is an enlarged plan view of the switch of Figures 2 and 3, withparts broken away to show the interior construction of the switch;

Figure 5 is a greatly enlarged view of the surface of the solenoid coreof the switch of Figure 2 as unfolded in a single plane and showing alabyrinth track in the sole noid core;

Figure 6 is an enlarged side elevational view, with parts broken awayand with the solenoid coil and easing shown in central longitudinalcross section, of a second solenoid operated switch according to thisinvention in closed position;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 but showing the switch in openposition;

Figure 8 is an enlarged plan view of the switch of Figures 6 and 7, withparts broken away to show the interior construction of the switch;

Figure 9 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary cross section view takenalong the line 9-9 of Figure 6 and showing part of the switch of UnitedStates Paten-t 0 Lil 2,703,348 li t ned Met-. .1955

Figure 11 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary cross ;sectional view takenalong the line 13t11 of Figure 6;

Figure 12 is an enlarged cross sectional view, with parts shown inelevation, taken along the line 1212 of Figure 13 and showing a thirdsolenoid operated switch according to this invention in closed position;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary cross sectional view, with parts shown inelevation, taken along theline 13.13 of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary cross sectional view, with parts shown inelevation, taken along the line 14-14 of Figure 13 and showing theswitch in closed position;

Figure 15 is a view similar to Figure 14 but showing the switch in openposition;

Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 14 but showing the switch in aposition intermediate the positions shown in Figures 14 and 15;

Figure .17 is an enlarged cross sectional view, with parts shown inelevation, of a fourth solenoid operated switch according to thisinvention-in closed position;

Figure 18 is a fragmentary viewsimilar to Figure 17 but showing theswitch in open position;

Figure 19 is a view similar to Figure 17 but showing the switch in aposition intermediate between the two positions shown in Figures 17 and18;

Figure 20 is an enlarged longitudinal cross sectional view, with partsshown in elevation, taken along the line Zil-Ztl of Figure 23, of afifth solenoid operated switch according to this invention in openposition;

Figure 21 is a view similar to Figure 20 but showing the switch in aposition intermediate between the two positions shown in Figures 20 and22;

Figure 22 is a view similar to Figure 20 but showing the switch inclosed position;

Figure 23 is a cross sectional view, with parts shown in elevation,taken along the line 2323 of Figure 22;

Figure 24 is an enlarged longitudinal cross sectional view, with partsshown in elevation, taken along the line 24--24 of Figure 26, of a sixthsolenoid operated switch according to this invention in closed position;

Figure 25 is a side elevational view of the switch of Figure 24, withparts shown in cross section along the line 25-25 of Figure 26;

Figure 26 is another side elevational view of a switch of Figure 24,with parts shown in cross section along the line 2626 of Figure 24; and

Figure 27 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 25 but showing theswitch in a position intermediate between fully closed and fully openpositions.

Referring now to the wiring diagram of Figure 1, a solenoid operatedswitch generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 (shown in greaterdetail in Figures 2 through 5), is interposed, as atterminals a, a, in anormal voltage circuit including a wire 11 and a grounded wire -12 bothconnected to a load 13 (indicated in the drawing by a light bulb). Thisnormal voltage circuit may be connected to a suitable source of power,for instance, volts, at a pair of terminals b, b. A high resistancesolenoid coil made up of two windings 14a and 14b is connected inparallel across the power source, through a low resistance wire 15connected to the grounded wire 12 and another low resistance wire 16including a fuse 16a connected to the wire 11, the solenoid coil beingconnected to the wires 15 and It? at terminals 0, c. A- push buttonswitch for making and breakingthe solenoid circuit is indicatedgenerally at 17 and is connected to the solenoid windings at terminal(I, d. A resilient contact arm-1,8 forming part of the switch Itisoperative to make and break the normal voltage circuit. Solenoidoperated means for actuating the contactarm 18 are described in detailhereinbelow.

In the system illustrated by the wiring diagram of Figure 1, the highresistance of the solenoid coil windings 14a and 14b serves to reducesubstantially theamperage in the solenoid circuit when the .latter isclosed, for instance, to less than about one ampere, thus renderingunnecessary the use of a transformer to step down the voltage for thispurpose. The fuse 16;: will function to interrupt the flow of anyexcessivecurrent;aswherr the wiring may accidentally be grounded..Further, at: the low voltage indicated, there is no need for having thewires and 16 of heavy wire, heavy insulated wire or wire enclosed in aconduit. The push button switch 17 may be made very small eliminatingthe large wall plates and switch boxes conventionally employed.

The solenoid operated switch 10 diagrammatically shown in Figure l isillustrated in greater detail in Figures 2 to 5. As there shown, anannular solenoid coil 24 mounted in a casing 21 may be energized throughleads 22 connected to a pair of terminals 23 mounted on the lower end ofthe casing 21. The terminals 23 correspond to the terminals :1, a'indicated in Figure 1.

At the upper end of the casing 21, a generally U-shaped strip 24 ismounted across the casing 21 (to close this end of the casing), with itslegs 25 extending upwardly and having their ends 26 deflected outwardlyat a right angle. A plate 27 of insulating material extends across thestrip 24, having its ends affixed to the outwardly bent ends 26 of thestrip 27, as by means of screws 23.

A pair of terminals 29 and 30 mounted on the upper side of the plate 27are interposed in the normal voltage circuit and correspond to theterminals (1, a indicated in Figure l. A lead 31 extending through asuitable aperture in the plate 27 from the terminal 29 is connected to acontact arm 32 extending below the plate 27 in general parallelismtherewith. A lead 33 extends through another suitable aperture in theplate 27 from the terminal 30 to one end of a resilient contact arm 34having one end anchored to the underside of the plate 27 below theterminal 30 and having its other end extending below and in parallelismwith the contact arm 32. The contact arm 34 corresponds to the contactarm 18 shown in Figure l. The resiliency of the contact arm 34 biasesthe latter into Contact with the arm 32, as shown in Figure 3.

Solenoid operated actuating means for operating the switch made up ofthe contact arms 32 and 34 include a toggle member having two spacedaligned plate portions 35 curved to define an arc of a circle, andadapted to rock over the inside of one of the legs 25 of the U-shapedstrip 24. The ends 36 of the plates 35 are bent outwardly and insertedin aligned spaced slots formed in the right leg 25 of the strip 24 sothat the bent ends 36 will secure the plates 35 against displacementover the legs 25 of the strip 24 as the plates are rocked over theinside of the legs 25. One or both of the toggle member plates 35 may bebent inwardly at about the right angle to form a deflecting arm 37. Thetwo rocking plates 35 are rigidly interconnected by an intermediate webplate 33 from which a central actuating arm 39 projects inwardly belowthe deflecting arms 37 to a point above the center of the solenoid 20.Coil springs each have one end attached serve to retain the ends 36 ofthe plates 35 in the slots formed in the strip legs 25, thus securingthe whole toggle member in position.

An insulating strip 41 extends along the underside of the contact arm 34and projects therefrom to a point be low the free end of one of thedeflecting arms 37. As shown in Figure 2, the contraction of the coilsprings 40 exerts a force overcoming the resiliency of the contact arm34, and the deflecting arms 37 extend at such an angle with respect tothe contact arm 34 and strip 41 as to cause the latter to be normallybiased into the position shown in Figure 2 where the switch formed bycontact arms 32 and 34 is open.

Means for actuating the switch in question to close the same include asolenoid core or plunger 42 within the solenoid 20. When the solenoid 20is energized, the solenoid core or plunger 42 is moved upwardly withinthe coil 20 and an actuating pin 43 extending from the core 42 contactsthe free end of the actuating arm 39 and causes the latter to moveupwardly. This upward movement of the free end of the actuating arm 39takes place along a straight line, because the arcuate curvature of therocking plates 35 is centered at that point of the actuation arm 39contacted by the pin 43.

Means for controlling the actuating of the contact arm 34 by means ofthe members described include a pin 44 aflixed to the inner surface ofthe coil 20 and projecting into a channel track 45 formed on the outersurface of the plunger 42. As best shown in Figure 5, the track 45 ismade up of four portions each of generally V- shaped configuration andhaving their vertices turned upwardly. Two of these V-shaped portionsextend upwardly for a greater distance than the other two V-shapedportions, and in the track 45 these higher V-shaped portions alternatewith the other two portions. In Figure 5, the vertices of the highV-shaped portions are indicated by the reference letters a and d, whilethe vertices of the other two V-shaped portions are indicated at e ande. The vertices d, d, e and e are slightly indented on their rightsides. The points of intersection of the V'-shaped track portions areindicated at f, g, f and g. At these points, the track 45 is likewiseformed with indentations on the right side.

The action of the springs 40 transmitted through the actuating arm 39and the pin 43 causes the solenoid core 42 to move downwardly. The core42 is free to rotate and therefore, when moving downwardly, will rotateso that the pin 44 will lodge in one of the vertices d, e, d or e.Further downward core movement is thereby arrested, and the action ofthe springs 40 thereafter consists in holding the solenoid core 42 inthe position assumed at the end of its downward stroke since then corerotation can be effected only against the resistance of the springs 46*.As shown in Figure 2, the deflecting arm 37 at this time holds thecontact arm 41 away from the contact arm 32, so that then the switch isheld in open position.

If it is assumed that the position of the solenoid core 42 (with respectto the fixed pin 44) shown in Figure 2 corresponds to having the pin 44located at d as shown in Figure 5, the further actuation of the switchmay be described as follows. When the coil 20 is energized and the core42 thereby moved upwardly, the core will be rotated as the pin 44follows the track 45 from d to g. At this point, further upward movementof the core 42 is arrested and no matter how long the coil 20 remainsenergized, the core remains in the indicated position. When the coil isthereafter deenergized, the action of the springs 40 depresses the core42 and the latter will rotate to bring the pin 44 to the position eindicated in Figure 5 where further movement of the core is arrested.The points a and e are spaced apart vertically so as to then bring theswitch into the position shown in Figure 3 where the actuating arm 41holds the contact arm 34 against the contact arm 32 to keep the switchin closed position. When the coil 20 is again energized, the core 42 ispulled down and rotated to bring the pin 44 from the position e shown inFigure 5 to f, where the core is held until the core is deenergized. Atthis time the action of the springs 40 will again depress and rotate thecore to bring the same into position d.

The right side indentations of the vertices in the track 45 serve toposition the pin 44 so that on movement of the core 42, the pin 44 willmove to the right in the track 45.

It will be noted that, in order to make this actuation possible, theaction of the springs 40 must be sufiiciently strong to overcome theresiliency of the contact arm 34, and the force exerted jointly by theresilient arm 34 and the solenoid coil 20 (when energized) must besuficiently strong to overcome the force exerted by the springs 40.

It will also be noted that whenever the solenoid core 42 is moved by thecoil 20 (which movement is always in the same direction), such movementserves to bring the core 42 to a position where the springs 40 will nextmove the core into either a switch closing or a switch opening position.Such switch closing and switch opening movements of the core areeifected alternately. Thus, displacement of the solenoid core effectingactuation of the switch may be subdivided into an initial step effectedby energizing the solenoid coil and a second step effected by thesprings 40 when the solenoid coil is deenergized. Finally, at the end ofeach two-step switch actuating movement, the springs 40 serve to holdthe switch actuating means in the position assumed at the end of theswitch actuating movement.

Another type of solenoid operated switch capable of being inserted inthe wiring diagram of Figure l in place of switch 10 is illustrated inFigures 6 through 11 as including an annular solenoid coil 50 mounted ina tubular casing 51 and energized through leads 52 connected to a pairof terminals 53 at the bottom of the casing 51. The terminals 53correspond to the terminals 0., d of Figure l. A solenoid plunger 54 ismovable within the coil 50, being drawn down or retracted into the boreof the coil 50 when the latter is energized.

Agenerally U-shaped strip extends over the top of the casing 51. Thelegs56 of this strip have their ends 57 bent outwardly at a right angleto support an insulating strip 58 afiixed thereto as by means of screws59. Terminals 60 and 61 are attached to the upper side of the strip 58.These terminals correspond to the terminals a, a in the wiring diagramof Figure 1.

A lead 62 connects the terminal 60 to a resilient con tact arm 63extending below the plate 58 and biased into contact with a secondcontact arm 64 connected to the terminal 61 by a lead 65.

A mounting strip 66 has one end hinged on a pin 67 mounted on the leftstrip leg 56 and extends under the contact arm 63 past the center of thesolenoid core 54. A short finger 68 is offset from the upper side of thestrip 66 and is threaded through an insulating link 69 of generallyT-shaped configuration extending through a suitable aperture in thecontact arm 63, as best shown in Figure 10. A coil spring 70 is mountedon the under side of the strip 66 below the finger 68 and has a longfinger 71 extending to the right through a wire loop 72 depending fromthe end of the strip 66 (as shown in Figure 11), extending therefrominto a labyrinth generally indicated at 73. The spring 70 is arranged tobias the finger 71 toward the right side or" the labyrinth shown inFigure 9. Another wire loop 74 attached to the end of the solenoid core54 passes over the strip 66, as best shown in Figure 10.

When the solenoid coil 50 is energized, the solenoid core 54 isretracted into the coil and the resulting downward pull transmittedthrough the loop 74, the strip 66, the finger 68 and the link 69 causesthe contact arm 63 to be displaced from the position shown in Figure 6(where the switch is closed) to the position shown in Figure 7, wherethe switch is open. purpose, the force exerted by the solenoid coil whenenergized must be suificient to overcome the resiliency of the arm 63biasing the latter into contact with the arm 64.

The above described switch actuation is controlled by the labyrinth 73best illustrated in Figure 9. The labyrinth in question includes a plate75 attached to the right strip leg 56 by means of a screw 76 and havinga right inturned flange 77 overlying the corner portion of the strip 55.A metal strip 78 forms a continuation an edge extending downwardly at asteep inclination which intersects the strip 78 at the attached end ofthe book 79. An upstanding flange 80 formed within a triangulardeflected portion 81 extends from the left edge of the plate 75 from anupper'point spaced from the hook 79 to a lower point spaced from theplate 55. The triangular deflected flange portion 81 terminatesdownwardly short of the flange 80 to form an angle 82 with the lowermostportion 80a of the flange 80. The lower lefthand corner of the flangeportion 81 comes to a point 83. A generally L-shaped arm 84 also extendsfrom the plate 75 at the left corner thereof past the flange 81 slightlyto the right of the point 83.

The operation of the labyrinth '73 for controlling switch actuation isdescribed as follows. The closed position'of the switch is shown inFigure 6 where the finger 71 rests against the arcuate hook 79, as shownin full lines in Figure 9. This position is maintained by the resiliencyof the arm 71 and the biasing force exerted by thespring 70 whichjointly serve to hold the endof the finger 71 in'the indicated positionwith respect to the hook portion 79. When the solenoid 50 is energizedand the solenoid core 54 retracted into the solenoid coil, the finger 71is pulled down and then slides over the inclined free edge of thedeflected flange portion 81. Note that the upper end of the triangulardeflected flange portion 81 is disposed slightly to the right of theposition assumed by the finger 71 when the switch is closed. As thedownward movement of the pin 71 is continued past the point 83, the pinjumps into the position indicated in Figure 9 in dotted lines where theend of the pin rests upon the plate 55 and is held against movement tothe right by the end of the L-shaped arm 84. When next the solenoid isdeenergized, the resiliency of the arm 71 and the biasing force exertedby the arm 63 cause upward movement of the pin past For this pin 101whereby the switch is opened and closed.

the upper edge of the arm 84. The finger, .71 -then becomes lodged inthe angle 82, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 9. The switch is ,thenin the position shown in Figure 7. When next time the solenoid coil 50is energized and the finger 71 retracted by the solenoid core 54, thefinger 71 moves downwardly past. the lowermost part 8011 of theupstanding flange 80 into the angle formed by the strip 7 8 and theplate 55. When the coil is next deenergized, the resiliency of the arm63 raises the finger 71 and causes the latter to slide along the strip78 into the position shown in full lines in Figure 9 and alsoillustrated in Figure 6, the switch then being closed.

Thus it will be seen that in the operation of the switch of Figures 6through 10, the same cyclical movement is effected as in the switch ofFigures 2 through 5.

Figures 12 through 16 show a third solenoid switch according to thepresent invention in which the reciprocal movement of a solenoid core istranslated into a rotary switch actuating movement. More particularly,the switch of Figures 12 through 16 includes a solenoid coil within acasing 91 energized by leads 92 connected to terminals 93 correspondingto the terminal (I, d of Figure 1. The upper end of the casing 91 isclosed by a plate 94 having mounted thereon terminals 95 and 96corresponding to the terminals a, a of Figure 1. Generally L-shapedflexible contact arms 97 and 98 depending from the bottom of the plate94 are connected, respectively, .to the terminals 95 and 96. As shown inFigure 13, the terminals 95 and 96 and the contact arms 97 and 98 areset over to one side of the casing 91. A pair of arms 99 also dependingfrom the plate 94 near the insides of the casing 91 afford journals fora shaft 100 extending transversely across the upper part of the casing91 between the contact arms 97 and 98 and always contacted by the freeends of said contact arms. The shaft 100 is made of insulating materialbut contains a metallic insert 101 in a shape of a rod located betweenthe contact arms 97 and 98 so that rotation of the shaft 100 will causealternating contact of the rod 101 with the contact arms 97 and .98 andcontact of the contact arms with the insulating portion of the shaft100. The switch of Figures 12 to 16 is therefore opened and closedsimply by rotation of the shaft 100. p

The switch actuating mechanism includes a solenoid core 102 retractedinto the solenoid coil 90 when the latter is energized and havingattached to its upper end an actuating plate 103 biased upwardly bysprings 104 each having one end attached to the plate 94 and another endattached to the actuating plate 103 near the upper end of the solenoidcore 102. The plate 103 extends between spaced discs 105 each mounted onthe shaft 100 and interconnected by four pins 106 symmetricallydistributed around the margins of the discs 105. The pins 106 serve asratchet pins engaged by the plate 103 when the latter is reciprocated.For this purpose, the actuating plate 103 is formed, on its right side,with an upstanding arm 107 having an inwardly deflected end portion 108capable, when the solenoid core 102 is retracted, of engaging the upperside of that one of the pins 106 located in the upper right quadrant tomove this pin downwardly and thereby to rotate the discs 105 partially.The actuating member 103 is also formed with a left shoulder 109 and aright shoulder 110 coming to a point at the middle of the plate 103. Theright shoulder 110 extends downwardly at a relativeiy steep angle whilethe left shoulder 109 extends downwardly from said point at a relativelygentle slope. When the actuating plate 103 has been retracted byenergizing the solenoid, and when thereafter the solenoid is deenergizedand the springs 1.04 move the plate upwardly, the shoulder 109 engagesthe pin 106 in the lower lefthand quadrant to move this pin upwardly andthereby to rotate the discs 105 further. Thus, the downward movement ofthe actuating discs 103 under the influence of the energized solenoidfollowed by subsequent upward movement under the infiuencejof thesprings 104 (after the solenoid has been deenergized effects rotarymovements of the discs 105' which may total 90.' Figures 14 to 16illustrate the different positions assumed during such rotary movementby the It will also be noted that the projecting portions of theshoulders 109 and 110 serve to hold the two 'pins"10 6 in the lower twoquadrants against movement when the switch is not being actuated. Forthis purpose the relatively steeply sloping shoulder 11!) forms an anglewith a horizontally extending plate edge 111 extending be tween thelower end of the shoulder 110 and the arm 107. An arm 111a may extendupwardly on the lefthand side of the actuating plate 103. This arm 111aand the arm 107 may slide over the inside of the casing 91 and therebyserve to keep the plate 103 in proper vertical alignment within thecasing 91.

It will be noted that, in the case of the switch of Figures 12 through16, the same cyclical succession of two step movements is effected as inthe previously described switches. In other words, energizing thesolenoid causes movement of the switch actuating member followed (afterthe solenoid is deenergized) by further movement of the switch actuatingmember under the influence of resilient means. Each cycle (made up oftwo such movements) serves either to close or to open the switch.

Figures 17 through 19 show a switch generally similar to that of Figures12 through 16 and having corresponding parts indicated by the samereference numerals. The principal difference between these two switcheslies in the fact that the shaft 100 is made wholly of insulatingmaterial and includes a cam-shaped portion 120 serving to spread apartthe contact arms 121 and 122 to open the switch, as illustrated inFigures 18. rotation of the shaft (effected exactly as in the switch ofFigures 12 through 16) brings the switch into closed position, as shownin Figure 17. An intermediate stage is shown in Figure 19.

Figures 20 through 23 illustrate still another switch generally similarto that shown in Figures 12 through 16, the same numerals being used toindicate identical parts. In the case of the switch of Figures 20through 23, discs are mounted upon a stub shaft rotatably journalled ina thick plate 131 attached to the upper Inside of the casing 91., as bymeans of screws 132. One of the discs 105 has embedded therein adiametrically extending strip 133 of metal. Resilient contact arms 134and 135 connected, respectively, to the terminals 95 and 96, depend fromthe underside of the plate 94 and are biased into contact with the disc105 carrying the metal strip 133. Thus, each 90 rotation of the discs105 serves alternately to open and to close the switch of Figures 20through 23 by moving the strip 133 into or out of a position wherein thestrip is contacted by the free ends of the contact arms 134 and 135. Asindicated hereinabove, the switch actuating mechanism of the device ofFigures 20 through 23 functions similarly to that of Figures 12 through16.

Still another form of switch according to the present invention is shownin Figures 24 through 27 as includ- 7 ing a solenoid coil disposedwithin a casing 141 and energized through leads 142 connected toterminals 143 corresponding to the terminals d, d of Figure l. Thecasing 141 is upwardly closed by a plate 144 carrying terminals 145 and146 corresponding to the terminals a, a of Figure 1. Contact arms 147and 148 connected, respectively, to the terminals 145 and 146, dependfrom the underside of the plate 144 and are resiliently biased againstone of two discs 149 carried by a stub shaft 150 journalled in a thickplate 151 alfixed to the inside of the casing 141, as by screws 152. Thedisc 1.49 contacted by the arms 147 and 148 has embedded therein adiametrically extending metal strip 153. Thus, rotation of the disc 149carrying the metal strip 153 serves alternately to close and to open theswitch of Figures 24 through 27.

The switch actuating mechanism of Figures 24 through 27 includes asolenoid core 154 retracted when the solenoid coil 140 is energized. Atits upper end, the solenoid core 154 carries horizontally extending arms155 to the ends of which are attached springs 156 also attached to theplate 144 and serving to bias the solenoid core 154 upwardly. Further, apair of star wheels 157 and 158 are carried by the shaft 150 between thediscs 149. These wheels carry four arms indicated, respectively. at15711 and at 158a. The arms 157a are adapted to be engaged from above onthe left side by the down turned end of an erect arm 159 extendingupwardly from the left solenoid core arm 155. The arms 158a are adaptedto be engaged from below on the right side by the inturned end ofanother erect arm 160 extending upwardly from the right solenoid corearm 155.

When the switch is in the closed position shown in Figures 24 and 25,one of the star wheel arms 157a has its upper side contacted by the freeend of the arm 159. When the solenoid coil 140 is next energized toretract the solenoid core 154, the arm 159 descends to cause partialrotation of the discs to the position shown in Figure 27. During thispartial rotation, the other arm 160 slides over one arm 158a of theother star wheel. When next the coil 140 is deenergized, the solenoidcore 154 is pulled upwardly and the arm 160 engages the underside of astar wheel arm 158a to further rotate the star wheels. During thissecond rotary movement, the arm 159 slides over another star wheel arm157a, to return the arms 159 and 160 to the same relative position withrespect to the star wheels as that shown in Figures 24 and 25. The tworotating movements may total 90 for moving the switch from a closed toan open position or vice versa. After each switch closing or switchopening movement, the arms 159 and 160, acting under the force exertedby the springs 156, serve to retain the switch in a position assumed atthe end of each switch opening or switch closing movement.

The above described solenoid operated switches are given merely by wayof examples of devices according to the present invention. It should beunderstood that, instead of electrically actuated solenoids,hydraulically actuated or pneumatically actuated pistons may be used.

The device of the present invention offers a number of advantages overconventional devices for remote control of switches and the like. Suchconventional devices require three wires because the solenoid operatingthe switch has two separate windings, one being energized to close theswitch and the other being energized to open the switch. The twosolenoid circuits are controlled, respectively, by an on push buttonswitch and by an off push button switch. Our solenoid operated switch,on the other hand, requires only two wires and a single push buttonswitch.

Conventional devices for remote solenoid control of switches areordinarily operated by using a separate 24 volt potential obtained froma transformer. Although our device can be so operated, our device canalso be more conveniently and economically operated from the 110 voltpower present in each ordinary outlet box by the use of our solenoidcoil as a current limiting device coupled with a fuse limiting theamperage to a predetermined maximum value. For instance, the solenoidcoil resistance can be predetermined to limit the amperage to 0.5ampere, and the fuse can be made to operate at 0.7 ampere. Such anarrangement will conform to the National Electric Code requirements forremote control systems.

At the low current intensity required by our device, a paired conductorof No. 18 or 20 gauge solid or stranded wire with fairly rugged moistureproof insulation will ordinarily be satisfactory. Where considerablewear is anticipated, armored cable may be used. The solenoid and theswitch controlled thereby may conveniently be provided as a completeunit with wires brought out as pigtails for easy connection to wiringwithin the outlet box where the switch is to be used. The push buttonswitches or other finger control switches may be quite small, and mayeasily be provided in various numbers distributed over variouslocations. There is no particular fire hazard or danger of severe shockat the switches when using the low current intensities made possible bythe devices disclosed hereinabove.

Many details of construction may be varied within a wide range withoutdeparting from the principles of this invention. It is, therefore, notour purpose to limit the patent granted on this invention otherwise thannecessitated by the scope of the appended claim.

We claim:

A solenoid switch for an electrical circuit comprising a solenoid coil,a reciprocable solenoid plunger, said coil being operative for actuatingthe solenoid plunger in one direction, a pair of parallel andsymmetrically disposed spring members for actuating the solenoid plungerin the opposite direction, said coil and said spring members cooperatingsuccessively to actuate the solenoid plunger through a reciprocatingcycle, a pair of contactors interposed in one side of said circuit, andswitching means actuated during one reciprocating cycle of said solenoidplunger whereby the pair of contactors are electrically connected duringone reciprocating cycle of said solenoid plunger and electricallydisconnected during the following reciprocating cycle, said switchingmeans comprising a rotatably mounted disc formed with spaced axialprojections distributed symmetrically around the margin of said disc,means rigidly secured to said plunger for engaging said disc projectionsand comprising a first actuating member for engaging a projection on oneside of said disc to rotate said disc as said plunger is moved under theinfluence of said coil and a second actuating member for engaginganother projection on the diametrically opposed side of said disc tocontinue the rotation of said disc as said plunger is moved in saidopposite direction under the influence of said spring members, saidsecond actuating member being shaped to engage, at the end of saidmovement of said plunger in said opposite direction, one projection oneach of the two diametrically opposed sides of said disc whereby saiddisc is held against further rotation until said plunger is again movedunder the influence of said coil, said switch further comprising meanscarried by said disc for estab lishing and disestablishing electricalcontact between said contactors.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSPlensler Feb. 20, 1940 Tin-ill June 19, 1900 Lacey Aug. 4, 1903 ClarkJune 7, 1904 Kitt May 8, 1906 Hart Nov. 30, 1909 Bramming Nov. 5, 1918Crane Nov. 5, 1918 Bramming Sept. 9, 1919 Miller et al Mar. 22, 1927Flanders et al Aug. 29, 1933 Deans July 10, 1934 Mott July 7, 1936 Kozelet al. Feb. 21, 1939 Hutt July 20, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Oct. 18,1910 France July 10, 1903 France Oct. 29, 1921

